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FELIPE DE LEON

1 May 1912 to 1992

Felipe de Leon was best known for translating the lyrics of
the Philippine National Anthem from the original Spanish to Tagalog. He
was a prolific composer and was awarded the title National Artist of the
Philippines for music posthumously in 1997.

He was known for Filipinizing western music forms. He was a
prodigious composer. De Leon wrote his famous piece "Payapang
Daigdig" the morning after he woke up to the destruction of the
city of Manila during World War II. He also wrote the classic songs
Bulaklak, Alitaptap, Mutya ng Lahi and the
kundiman Sarong Banggi.

He also composed the first full-length Filipino opera,
Noli Me Tangere, and subsequently El Filibusterismo.